Comments on: Tuesday Tips for Parenting - Using the Timer http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/ The musings and ravings of a bloggart family Mon, 1 Dec 2008 23:07:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Emily http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2777 Emily Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:30:09 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2777 I love using a timer to around the house. It even surprises me how much I get done in 15 minutes using the timer! I love how your whole family works and plays together! I love using a timer to around the house. It even surprises me how much I get done in 15 minutes using the timer!

I love how your whole family works and plays together!

]]> By: Carl Gray http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2772 Carl Gray Sat, 18 Aug 2007 01:43:49 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2772 Hey nice job with the PhotoShop Elements retouch on that last photo. It is the first one I've noticed since you got your new program. It is definitely an improvement over the original, which was pretty dark. I like the way you took the landscape photo and cropped it to portrait dimensions. I do that <b>all</b> the time and it really makes some nice portraits. It got rid of all the extra background which was unncessary. Then, lightening up with the Shadows/Highlights feature really brought out the girls' faces. You may have used just a touch too much Unsharp Mask though, noticeable in the bright highlights like the wood chips, the rock, and the sun shining on Elise's hair. Overall, I really like the results. I look forward to more like this. Hey nice job with the PhotoShop Elements retouch on that last photo. It is the first one I’ve noticed since you got your new program. It is definitely an improvement over the original, which was pretty dark.

I like the way you took the landscape photo and cropped it to portrait dimensions. I do that all the time and it really makes some nice portraits. It got rid of all the extra background which was unncessary. Then, lightening up with the Shadows/Highlights feature really brought out the girls’ faces. You may have used just a touch too much Unsharp Mask though, noticeable in the bright highlights like the wood chips, the rock, and the sun shining on Elise’s hair. Overall, I really like the results. I look forward to more like this.

]]> By: Karen@FamilyBriefs http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2714 Karen@FamilyBriefs Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:14:51 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2714 We LOVE using the timer too! Your tip gave me a few more ideas - we should never be afraid to pull out the timer for any resolution! Thanks! We LOVE using the timer too! Your tip gave me a few more ideas - we should never be afraid to pull out the timer for any resolution! Thanks!

]]> By: KME http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2701 KME Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:37:51 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2701 Malta - I think the use of timers for computer game playing has dramatically changed our family. It has brought everyone into accountability regarding their computer usage. I strongly recommend applying something like this. It's so freeing to know there is a limit to the computer game time. The children work hard to manage their own time (setting the timers and keeping track) and are MOSTLY honest and consistent. Debbie - I HATE constantly being called in to judge and evaluate situations. I like to outsource it when possible. Having a timer around to mediate between the children and keep them on track is a huge relief. Malta - I think the use of timers for computer game playing has dramatically changed our family. It has brought everyone into accountability regarding their computer usage. I strongly recommend applying something like this. It’s so freeing to know there is a limit to the computer game time. The children work hard to manage their own time (setting the timers and keeping track) and are MOSTLY honest and consistent.

Debbie - I HATE constantly being called in to judge and evaluate situations. I like to outsource it when possible. Having a timer around to mediate between the children and keep them on track is a huge relief.

]]> By: KME http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2700 KME Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:34:38 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2700 During our reading time my kids have been known to run off to get me a blanket at the first sign of a drooped lid. They know they can enjoy some free time if I settle if for a little nap. Those power naps on the couch are wonderful. Sometimes it's a true battle to stay awake during our read alouds. Ha! During our reading time my kids have been known to run off to get me a blanket at the first sign of a drooped lid. They know they can enjoy some free time if I settle if for a little nap. Those power naps on the couch are wonderful. Sometimes it’s a true battle to stay awake during our read alouds. Ha!

]]> By: KME http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2699 KME Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:32:03 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2699 Lisa - me too, I have always envied the energy and creativity of the father in Cheaper by the Dozen. I wish I could inspire that sort of learning in my children. I read a blog about having the kids listen to scripture in their MP3 players. They earned computer time by the number of minutes they listened to the Bible. I thought that was a great idea but I have yet to implement it. Maybe I could have it playing in the bathroom. :) Lisa - me too, I have always envied the energy and creativity of the father in Cheaper by the Dozen. I wish I could inspire that sort of learning in my children. I read a blog about having the kids listen to scripture in their MP3 players. They earned computer time by the number of minutes they listened to the Bible. I thought that was a great idea but I have yet to implement it. Maybe I could have it playing in the bathroom. :)

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2697 Jennifer Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:28:29 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2697 We love timers too...and I am in the camp of moms who have also grown INTO naptime, as Cynthia says! We love timers too…and I am in the camp of moms who have also grown INTO naptime, as Cynthia says!

]]> By: Debbie http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2689 Debbie Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:27:08 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2689 Great ideas! We've used it for our "uncooperative" corner, but not a lot of other things. I'm going to put on my thinking cap and think of ways that it might help us in this busy household. Thanks! Great ideas! We’ve used it for our “uncooperative” corner, but not a lot of other things. I’m going to put on my thinking cap and think of ways that it might help us in this busy household.

Thanks!

]]> By: Malta http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2681 Malta Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:20:33 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2681 Katherine, I am going to show this blog to Janet. I can see how helpful it would be regarding Sam's computer and PS2 game time. Wonderful. What a great tool. Malta Katherine,
I am going to show this blog to Janet. I can see how helpful it would be regarding Sam’s computer and PS2 game time. Wonderful. What a great tool.
Malta

]]> By: Tim http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2679 Tim Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:25:54 +0000 http://www.edgren.com/wordpress/2007/08/13/tuesday-tips-for-parenting-using-the-timer/#comment-2679 As Kathy points out, the success of the timer is closely tied to the its dispassionate and finite nature. An unpleasant situation with no end in sight can be very frustrating (just ask anyone stuck in a traffic jam) and the timer handily removes and quantifies the unknown as a source of frustration. As the scripture teaches: <blockquote>"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4).</blockquote> Sometimes our correction or punishment, exercised arbitrarily and without visible end, can be an unnecessary and considerable source of exasperation to our children. It can also be a good way to ensure that you don't forget a child who has been sent to sit in isolation on the stairs (as I have done several times). As Kathy points out, the success of the timer is closely tied to the its dispassionate and finite nature. An unpleasant situation with no end in sight can be very frustrating (just ask anyone stuck in a traffic jam) and the timer handily removes and quantifies the unknown as a source of frustration.

As the scripture teaches:

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4).

Sometimes our correction or punishment, exercised arbitrarily and without visible end, can be an unnecessary and considerable source of exasperation to our children. It can also be a good way to ensure that you don’t forget a child who has been sent to sit in isolation on the stairs (as I have done several times).

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